Marstrand Vest

Marstrand Vest by Irina Anikeeva

What is Being Made

The Marstrand Vest is a women's sleeveless waistcoat designed by Irina Anikeeva. This intermediate-level knitting project is available as a downloadable PDF pattern and offers six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, with finished bust circumferences from 32 inches (81 cm) to 52 inches (132 cm). The vest is designed with minimal positive ease of 2–3 inches (5–8 cm), making it a fitted garment suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Construction Techniques

The Marstrand Vest employs a hybrid construction method that combines circular knitting with flat knitting. The body is initially worked in the round up to the underarm, which creates a seamless lower section and ensures consistent stitch definition. After reaching the underarm, the front and back pieces are separated and worked flat (back and forth) to complete the upper portion and shaping. This approach minimizes seaming while allowing for precise shaping at the armholes and neckline.

A key technical consideration in this pattern involves cable placement and adaptation. During the shaping process, if there are insufficient stitches remaining to complete a full 6-stitch cable motif, the pattern instructs knitters to substitute those stitches with Stockinette stitch instead. This pragmatic approach ensures that the garment maintains visual coherence even as decreases are worked.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used in the Marstrand Vest is the Welt pattern, which forms the decorative texture throughout much of the garment. The pattern also incorporates 6-stitch cables as a design element, providing visual interest and structure to the waistcoat. Stockinette stitch serves as both a secondary pattern element and a substitution stitch when cable placement becomes impractical during shaping.

Yarn and Materials

The Marstrand Vest is designed to be worked with two strands of yarn held together throughout the entire project. The yarn weight is specified as sport or fingering weight, with total yardage requirements varying by size: approximately 1280 yards (1170 m) for the smallest size (XS) up to 2220 yards (2029 m) for the largest size (2XL).

The recommended needle size is US 6 (4 mm), which is appropriate for the doubled yarn. When worked on this needle size with two strands held together, the gauge is 20 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) in the Welt pattern, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and fit.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern accommodates a wide range of body sizes with the following finished bust measurements:

• XS: 32 inches (81 cm)
• S: 36 inches (91.5 cm)
• M: 40 inches (101.5 cm)
• L: 44 inches (112 cm)
• XL: 48 inches (122 cm)
• 2XL: 52 inches (132 cm)

The pattern is shown in size S (36 inches / 91.5 cm) on a 34-inch (86 cm) bust, demonstrating the intended 2-inch (5 cm) positive ease for that size.